Monday, August 29, 2011

Question of the Week: How Do You Handle Procedure Anxiety?

Image by kurichan* via FlickrSo I am having surgery on Wednesday, this Wednesday, August 31st. And I'd be lying if I didn't say that the thought of having surgery is freaking me out.

Thankfully, when I first decided to schedule carpal tunnel surgery, a friend of mine helped me get focused on thinking about the benefits of having surgery instead of everything else. So for the past few weeks, whenever I've felt my mind wandering to those other things, I just reminded myself, "This might just get rid of that that numbness and tingling that constantly plagued your hands."

But as I get closer, I find it's not working as well. What am I most worried about? The whole sedation thing during the procedure and PAIN afterwards.

Since I have sleep apnea, being rendered unconscious can be a tricky thing. Thankfully my surgery is taking place in an operating room and I will be under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. I am hoping that same level of care follows me to recovery; I'm counting on them to have some measures in place to counteract the sleep apnea if it becomes a problem as the sedative wears off. I don't have to stay overnight in the hospital, so when I get home I can use my CPAP while I sleep things off.

PAIN is a whole other story. I already have a prescription for a pain killer filled, but the narcotic I have been prescribed can cause my drive to breathe to be suppressed. Wait, let me rephrase that: narcotics cause everyone's drive to breathe to be suppressed. I have no idea if I will be given pain meds in recovery, so I am having my husband take and hold onto my prescription during my surgery. That way, I can take something as soon as I get to see him.

Despite all my planning and positive self-talk, I can still feel anxiety creeping into my consciousness...

So I want to know from you, what things do you do when you have a procedure or surgery coming up to quell your anxiety?

Please share your tips and strategies with me so I can try them out. I promise to report back on the ones that help me. Just leave me a comment here or head over the the Oh My Aches and Pains! Facebook page and post a note on the wall.